Spoons

We have a new addition to the household: four weeks ago Bendigo arrived to cause chaos.

Right now we have a twelve-week-old golden retriever, and a nearly twelve-year-old golden retriever.

When Bendigo turned up, Kempton was unsurprisingly NOT IMPRESSED. She 'tolerated' the chewing on her ears, the wet puddles on her bed, the lack of manners, the general irritations - but only just. It took eleven days for the frost to thaw, and for more playful wrestling matches to begin. Now they are inseperable.

My hope was that Kempton, with her calm sensibility and seniority would teach the youngster how to behave. In fact, Bendigo has been teaching the old dog some new tricks, including how to dig in the garden. (The garden that we worked so hard on during lockdown.) I imagine that the pair will make it to central Australia at some point next week. So it's lucky that they snuggle up and do this, really:

Spoons: Kempton and Bendigo, nearly 12 years and nearly 12 weeks

 

Currently reading: The Rules by Tracy Darnton

And Relax

We are finding various ways to amuse ourselves during the lockdown.

Once the Latin and Greek lessons are over for the morning's homeschooling, it's time for Gertie and Gilby to sit back and relax.

Eddie is still having a little trouble sleeping at night, so it's nice for the family to rock him gently before bed...

And last weekend we headed off for a beautiful bluebell walk in Lordings Wood. Of course, we're social distancing, so Kempton had to take this one.

Currently reading: The Volunteer by Jack Fairweather

Vicious Viscosity

So, what sadist designed this little package?

John Adams, whoevever he be, has a sense of humour.

Gilby and Eddie were, of course, desperate to get involved in this little box of goodies. And, in a titanically bad bit of planning where I had a double play date for Gertie on the last day of the holidays (and I badly needed to mark books and plan lessons), I agreed. Seven plus. Should be fine for a reasonably intelligent eight-year-old and his six-year-old brother, I thought. How bad can it be? 

Now, I should know by now, that whenever I cheerfully have the 'how bad can it be?' thought, the answer is always, 'Very bad indeed'. I had, of course, neglected to notice that the large '7+' on the box actually had an 'under adult supervision' tag line in the instructions themselves.

Thus far we have fart-powder, snot and tears (though I don't think tears were actually one of the chemical compounds). Not to mention one ruined carpet, towel and washing up sponge. That snot is viscous. Not to mention vicious. And there are still far too many pots and potions and unused things left over for my liking.

Eddie's cuteness whilst wearing the safety goggles, and Gilby's earnestness in correctly following the instructions, are the only reasons they remain alive today.

Currently reading: Crooked Heart by Lissa Evans